<![CDATA[Palestine Note · Storify]]>http://storify.com/palestinenoteNodeJS RSS ModuleMon, 20 May 2013 01:18:56 GMT<![CDATA[Week in Review: "Deadliest Violence in Gaza" Edition, Mar 16th]]>

We take a special look at the events surrounding the deadliest escalation of violence between militant groups in Gaza and Israel since the 2008 Gaza War in this week's review of the top #Palestine stories.

Storified by Palestine Note · Fri, Mar 16 2012 11:22:23

Tit for Tat on Israel-Gaza Border

It is not a cycle of violence in occupied Palestine: a cycle has no beginning and end.  A line of violence has a beginning and end: it began with the creation of Israel and will end with the demise of Israel.  How many US media pointed out that the recent chapter of violence began with Israel which assassinated a Palestinian local leader in Gaza?

— · Thu, Mar 15 2012 11:27:46
Last Friday morning, IDF missiles killed a Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) leader, which had orchestrated the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, and a colleague. The IDF said the leader had been planning a terror attack near the Israel-Gaza border.

Nearly a hundred rockets and mortar shells were then fired into southern Israel over the following weekend, causing eight injuries and some damage. Israelis were urged to stay indoors and authorities cancelled school. 27 of those rockets were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome. 
The IDF responded to the rockets, calling them "unprovoked", carrying out strikes against what it identified as weapons factories and militant squads attempting to launch rockets. 

While army sources took care to point out al-Qaissi’s alleged involvement in the August 2011 incident, his assassination wasn’t just an act of punishment. No, Israel killed him on the basis of secret evidence – evidence that is not subject to legal or judicial review – that supposedly proves that al-Qaissi was planning a terror attack. Never mind that the Israeli supreme court’s December 2006 ruling placed numerous restrictions on such assassinations

— · Thu, Mar 15 2012 11:27:52
International Reaction
At a UN Security Council meeting, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton condemned "in the strongest terms the rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel" and called on both sides "to restore calm".

The Arab League called the Israeli strikes a "massacre" in a meeting in Cairo. It called on the international community to "take a firm stance to dissuade Israel from its continued massacres and violations of the rights of the Palestinian people". It further stated that "Israel bears the responsibility, as an occupying force, to end the illegitimate blockade on Gaza and to protect the Palestinian people."

The Turkish Prime Minister also referred to the Israeli strikes as a "massacre" and actions of "state terror". He also stated that the Turkish people must "remember that Gazans are our brothers, and will always remain so."

The European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the bloc was "following with concern the recent escalation of violence in Gaza and in the south of Israel”. She also said, "I very much deplore the loss of civilian life. It is essential to avoid further escalation and I urge all sides to re-establish calm.”

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, "I am gravely concerned at the latest escalation between Gaza and Israel, and once again civilians are paying a terrible price. Rocket attacks out of Gaza against Israeli civilian areas are unacceptable and must stop immediately. I reiterate my call on Israel to exercise maximum restraint."

The Iranian foreign ministry released a statement saying that it "strongly condemns the savage crimes of the Zionist regime against the innocent and defenseless Palestinian people in Gaza". The statement added that international organizations and rights groups should speak out "about this abhorrent violation of human rights".
Gaza funerals, exchanging fire with Israel continue · euronews
"Restoring Calm"
While Hamas worked to broker a cease-fire with Israel with the help of Egypt, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Israel's  actions as perpetuating a "circle of violence" in the region and was reportedly in talks with Hamas leader Khaled Meshal on renewing a cease-fire.
Ceasefire Reached After Israeli Air Strikes Killed 26 Palestinians in Gaza · democracynow
An Egyptian sponsored truce was finally settled on early Tuesday, with Israel agreeing to "stop assassinations" and Palestinian promises to stop launching rockets into Israel. Though sporadic fire between the two sides continued to be exchanged, the truce seems to be mostly upheld.

The lesson the Palestinian resistance groups should learn is that the Egyptian-sponsored truce, which managed to stop the aggression and the assassinations, is temporary. The resistance groups should prepare for another round, which might be tougher and bloodier, with an [Israeli government] that does not care about any ethical or humanitarian values... The Palestinian people will not rely on this truce. They do not trust the Israeli occupation and they have a bitter experience of it.

— · Thu, Mar 15 2012 11:27:46
The Toll
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]]>http://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-mar-16http://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-mar-16Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:22:23 GMT<![CDATA[Week in Review, Mar 9th]]>

Activists counter AIPAC at annual conference, Hamas not getting involved in possible Israel-Iran war, and women celebrated in this week's top #Palestine stories.

Storified by Palestine Note · Fri, Mar 09 2012 10:12:24

Countering AIPAC

Cloudfront
AIPAC held its annual conference in Washington, DC this week, prompting many pro-Palestinian activists to stage their own demonstrations. 
Jadaliyya
Occupy AIPAC; Congress Groveled, We Danced. · dodger8mo
Palestinian plight no longer on world agenda · aljazeeraenglish

This is the other side of the coin that American audiences hardly noticed, in part, because the media has neglected to focus on these activists who in the near future may critically challenge the prevalent hackneyed perceptions here. For a start, Netanyahu is returning home without much success in Washington since Obama did not give him the green light to undertake any misguided adventure against Iran, which is bound to be very costly for all concerned in the Middle East and elsewhere.

— · Fri, Mar 09 2012 05:53:38

Hamas Won't Aid Iran In Possible War

A Hamas official told reporters that if war between Israel and Iran broke out, the Islamist party would not get involved. The official said, "Hamas is not part of military alliances in the region … our strategy is to defend our rights.” The BBC quotes another official as saying, "What could we realistically do anyway? If we were to attack Israel, the response would be much stronger." 

Rather than positioning itself as Iran's proxy, parts of the movement are trying to pre-emptively distance Hamas from the Islamic Republic and sticking to its principle of fighting solely for Palestinian liberation. At a time when people at the grassroots are calling the shots across the region, Hamas is prudently differentiating itself from other regimes and parties by visibly siding with the people.

— · Fri, Mar 09 2012 05:53:38

International Women's Day

International Women's Day was this past Thursday with many Palestinians across the world honoring the role of women in the pro-Palestinian movement. Here's just a taste of some of the ways Palestinians chose to honor the day.
PalestinianWomen · palestinemonitor
The Palestine Monitor created a compilation of photos and video highlighting women in activism.
International Women's Day, Qalandia checkpoint, West Bank, 8.3.2012 · activestills
International Women's Day, Qalandia checkpoint, West Bank, 8.3.2012 · activestills
Palestinian women stage a demonstration against the occupation near a military checkpoint. The Israeli military later hit the protesters with a water cannon.
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]]>http://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-mar-9thhttp://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-mar-9thFri, 09 Mar 2012 18:12:24 GMT<![CDATA[Week in Review, Mar 2nd]]>

Hamas turns on longtime ally Assad, nonviolent activist charged with assaulting a soldier despite video evidence, and two television stations raided by IDF in this week's top #Palestine stories.

Storified by Palestine Note · Fri, Mar 02 2012 10:09:05

Hamas Supports Syrian Opposition

Hamas' Break From Syria and Iran (Dispatch) · stratforvideo
Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh spoke out in praise of the Syrian opposition while attending a rally in Cairo, effectively ditching the party's longtime patron in Bashar Assad. Another report says Hamas has relocated its offices in Syria to Egypt and Qatar. 

Haniyeh's speech was another sign of Hamas's drift away from its long-term backers Iran and Syria, as it finds new allies in the region. Its isolation has eased since its parent movement, the pan-Arab Muslim Brotherhood, gained political influence in the region – including in Egypt – in the wake of the Arab spring uprisings.

— · Tue, Feb 28 2012 13:38:44

Nonviolent Activist Charged With "Assault"

Palestinian youth activist Fadi Quran assaulted/arrested for speaking / Journalists assaulted · theimeu
Nonviolent activist Fadi Quran was arrested at a Hebron demonstration for the reopening of Shuhada street and charged with assaulting an Israeli soldier. However, videos of the alleged altercation between Mr. Quran and the soldier, which surfaced almost immediately, have cast serious doubts on the IDF's charge. Although he was freed on bail just a few days later, he still faces an investigation and possible indictment.

Fadi's arrest is a reminder of how two key ingredients of the Arab Spring--digital media and nonviolent protest--can complicate life for authorities. The reason his arrest is well documented is digital video, and the reason you're reading about his story here is Twitter.

— · Tue, Feb 28 2012 13:39:29

IDF Raids Two TV Stations

Israeli troops raided the Palestinian private television stations of Al Watan and Al Quds in Ramallah, confiscating transmitters, computer hard drives and documents and effectively shut all production down. The Israeli military claimed the stations were operating without the proper licenses and using frequencies that interfered with communications at a nearby Israeli airport. The Palestinian Authority and the stations deny the allegations. 

So why were all those items seized if it was just about transmission frequencies? According to a military spokesman, the soldiers just happened to notice the "suspicious" material once they entered the premises. 

This is an act of repression of the freedom of the media in Palestine, and of repression of the popular resistance that we believe in

— · Tue, Feb 28 2012 13:39:29
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]]>http://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-mar-2ndhttp://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-mar-2ndFri, 02 Mar 2012 18:09:05 GMT<![CDATA[Week in Review, Feb 24th]]>

A victory for Khader Adnan (?), a fuel crisis in Gaza, new settlement construction in the West Bank and more in this week's top #Palestine stories.

Storified by Palestine Note · Fri, Feb 24 2012 11:47:34

Khader Adnan To Be Released
Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan ends hunger strike · aljazeeraenglish
On Tuesday, Palestinian hunger striker Khader Adnan ended his two month long protest against his detention without charge in Israel after the Israeli Supreme Court, the Israeli Ministry of Justice, and Mr. Adnan's lawyers reached a deal that would end his imprisonment on April 17th. In the run up to the decision, thousands of Palestinians had continued to demonstrate on Mr. Adnan's behalf by chaining themselves to beds in public displays and declaring their own hunger strikes in solidarity. 

The occupation has decided, under pressure, to free my husband in April, but hundreds more will continue to languish in putrid cells under the same illegal, inhuman scheme. Khadar has, however, delivered his message: that this long night of tyranny and inhumanity will come to an end.

— · Thu, Feb 23 2012 17:50:45

Adnan has provided final proof that the occupation has decayed the minds of the occupiers, who are incapable of collecting evidence against people who have no rights to protect them against such collection; whose houses are open wide to any armed goon; whose phones may be eavesdropped on without a warrant; whose computers may be confiscated without consulting a judge,; and who are in practice susceptible to torture without penalty; no Israeli court ever found that a Palestinian was tortured by the ISA. Even so, all the apparatus can do is detain them without trial, hoping the torture of endless incarceration – which is the essence of administrative detention – will break the spirit of the detainee.

— · Thu, Feb 23 2012 17:49:40

Because of the lack of coverage on Palestine in mainstream news, a lot of activists indulge in social media sites like Twitter in order to find information. A lot of unnoticed stories usually end up online from activists, or citizen journalists if you will, who are on the ground in Palestine. This is very vital for cyber activists like us. So because of reasons like this, a lot of us were aware of Khader Adnan’s story. Around the 40th day of his hunger strike, many activists were trying to contact the media to cover him but we had no luck. I know I contacted a few of my journalist friends for help but was unsuccessful. I was distraught because I thought Khader, by the 45th day of his hunger strike, was at the end of his road and wouldn’t live very long. I, along with many others, became desperate. So we just did what any cyber activists would do – brought attention to Khader ourselves. Having seen how powerful the Internet is with Arab uprisings, we decided to try our luck.”

— · Thu, Feb 23 2012 17:49:40
To keep up the pressure to end the Israeli practice of administrative detention, many of the activists who had been vocal about Khader Adnan's case have also highlighted the imprisonment of a Palestinian woman who had recently been freed in a mass prisoner swap with Israel. Israel's military rearrested Hana Shalabi last week saying she was "global jihad affiliated operative" and "posed a threat to the area", ordering her to remain in prison for six months without trial.
Freehana
Energy Crisis In Gaza
A severe lack of fuel for Gaza's power plants may soon create a new humanitarian crisis. A Hamas spokesman blamed the shortage on a combination of the Israeli occupation, the Palestinian Authority's refusal to provide Gaza with needed funds, and Egypt's border policies. Gaza PM Ismail Haniyeh concluded negotiations with Egypt on Thursday to implement a plan for ending the crisis.

People are very frustrated. They have a government that cares little and puts responsibility on the shoulders of everyone else but not on itself. The current crisis was created through dependence on unreliable tunnels, a system in danger of collapsing at any time,” a humanitarian aid worker from Gaza, who asked to remain anonymous, told IRIN.

— · Thu, Feb 23 2012 17:50:12
Delaying Unity Government
Alarabiya
Hamas leader Khaled Meshal and PA President Mahmoud Abbas met in Cairo on Wednesday to implement the terms of the unity agreement signed last May. Earlier this month, the two parties had finally agreed to name Mr. Abbas as interim Prime Minister of a unity government. Following this week's meeting, further talks have been delayed. Fatah has accused Hamas of preventing the registration of Gaza voters and has said that the Islamist party must come to a formal agreement over its own internal divisions about the unity deal. 
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]]>http://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-feb-24thhttp://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-feb-24thFri, 24 Feb 2012 19:47:34 GMT<![CDATA[Week in Review, Feb 17th]]>

Love for Palestine on Valentine's Day, Khader Adnan's appeal rejected, and a tragic bus crash in this week's top #Palestine news stories

Storified by Palestine Note · Fri, Feb 17 2012 10:10:38

Netdna-cdn
On Saturday, Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh spoke to a crowd of 30,000 in Tehran alongside Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in honor of the anniversary of the 1979 revolution. Haniyeh reiterated Hamas' stance that it will "never recognize Israel" and vowed the Islamist party would continue resistance until "all Palestinian lands had been liberated" and "all the refugees returned". Iran's first vice-president Mohamed Reza Rahimi had earlier expressed to Haniyeh Iran's commitment to use "everything at its disposal to aid the Palestinians".
Palestinian prisoner of Israel Khader Adnan has passed more than sixty days without food and is "near death" in his continuing hunger strike to protest his administrative detention. Though calls for Israel to try or release Mr. Adnan have grown louder, the appeal against his order of imprisonment without charge was rejected by Israel's military court on Monday. 
Tuesday was Valentine's Day and many people took to social media to express their love for Palestine. In honor of the holiday, Palestinian-American graduate student Tania Keilani launched a new project to showcase the stories of Palestinian couples under occupation called Love Under Apartheid. The project quickly became a popular hashtag on Twitter and caught the attention of our Senior Editor Christa Blackmon who caught up with Ms. Keilani Monday evening. Check out Christa's article here.
Love Under Apartheid: Laila from Gaza · loveunderapartheid
Can there be no #LoveUnderApartheid?Can there be no #LoveUnderApartheid?
Roses are red, Violets are blue, but a Palestinian can't move in w/ a spouse across the green line cuz their not a Jew.
Also on Valentine's Day, Gaza's only power station was forced to shut down due to a shortage of fuel supplies being smuggled through tunnels on the border with Egypt. The station released a statement placing responsibility for the crisis on Israel's continuing blockade, but also called on Egypt to allow more fuel into the Strip. 
Gaza facing severe fuel crisis · aljazeeraenglish
Nine Palestinian kindergarten children and their teacher from the Shuafat refugee camp were tragically killed in a bus crash while en route to a field trip park near Ramallah. Forty two other children were also injured in the collision. 
At least 8 Palestinian children dead in W.Bank crash · afp
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]]>http://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-feb-17thhttp://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-feb-17thFri, 17 Feb 2012 18:10:38 GMT<![CDATA[Week in Review, Feb 10th]]>

Fatah and Hamas finally sign unity government agreement, hunger striker brings greater attention to IDF administrative detention, Hamas' "waning" relationship with Iran and more this week's top #Palestine stories.

Storified by Palestine Note · Fri, Feb 10 2012 11:54:51

After nearly nine months since signing a reconciliation pact, Hamas and Fatah leaders finally signed a unity agreement in Qatar on Monday. The agreement puts current PA President Mahmoud Abbas as head of an interim national consensus government to prepare for upcoming elections. Although the elections are scheduled to take place in May, the Palestinian election commission has expressed doubts that there will be enough time to prepare. Israeli PM Netanyahu gave his usual response on Palestinian unity efforts, saying that Abbas must choose between peace with Israel and peace with Hamas. The agreement may also further endanger American aid to the Palestinians as Congressional amendments forbid any aid going to Hamas.
Hamas and Fatah sign Palestinian unity deal · AlJazeeraEnglish
A Palestinian prisoner, widely believed to be a leader of Islamic Jihad, held in administrative detention by the Israeli military entered his seventh week of a hunger strike protesting his treatment. Activists have been successful in building momentum through social media campaigns with hashtags #Dying2Live, #9febhungerstrike, and #khaderadnan. Major human rights organizations like Amnesty International have also called for Israel to try or release Mr. Adnan. Other organizations like Btselem are also bringing the issue of administrative detention, which allows the IDF to detain Palestinians indefinitely without charge or trial, to greater attention.
A tribute to Khader Adnan and Palestinian Prisoners.wmv · YehiaJohn
#Dying2Live for Palestine#Dying2Live for Palestine
An activist’s hunger strike in an Israeli prison sparks calls for his release.
Solidarity action in support of Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan, Gaza city, Gaza Strip, 06.02.2012 · activestills
Khader Adnan receives message of support from former Hunger Striker Tommy McKearney · GazaTVNews
Gaza Prime Minister and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has arrived in Iran for a three day visit where he is also expected to speak at a rally honoring the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Iran is considered to be a major financial backer of the Palestinian Islamist party, but it is suspected that ties between the two have begun to cool since the onset of the Arab Spring and the ongoing conflict in Syria. 
American "indie music" star and singer-songwriter Cat Power, real name Chan Marshall, announced that she would be cancelling an upcoming performance in Tel Aviv after activists implored her to do so in keeping with the BDS movement.
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]]>http://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-feb-10thhttp://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-feb-10thFri, 10 Feb 2012 19:54:51 GMT<![CDATA[Week in Review, Feb 3rd]]>

An Israeli film on IDF's military court system awarded big honor at Sundance, shoes and sticks thrown at UN chief Ban Ki-moon in Gaza, and the implications of Netanyahu's Likud primary win in this week's top #Palestine stories.

Storified by Palestine Note · Fri, Feb 03 2012 10:22:47

The Law in These Parts - English trailer · The Law in These Parts
The Israeli documentary The Law In These Parts highlighting the injustices of Israel's military court system in the occupied West Bank won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Director Ra'anan Alexandrowicz said shortly of the film after the win, "This is an amazing moment for me as a filmmaker, but it’s a film about a painful and unresolved subject.This is the hardest film I’ve made."
Gaza Prime Minister and Hamas leader Khaled Meshal continued his first regional tour since coming to office in 2007 by visiting Jordan's King Abdullah II in Amman in a move that some say suggests a thawing of relations between the Islamist party and the Hashemite Kingdom.
On Thursday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Gaza on Thursday to tour a UNRWA housing project and meet with local business and civil society representatives. The latter was cancelled after angry protests where some threw shoes at the convoy in response to Mr. Ban's refusal to meet with the families of prisoners held in Israel. The previous day, he urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to resume talks.
L'accueil de Ban Ki-moon à Gaza (02/02/2012) · afp7
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu won the elections for leadership of his Likud party on Wednesday prompting further specualtion in Israeli political circles that national elections could happen before US elections. In the follow-up to the party elections, Netanyahu made two overtures to Israel's pro-settler communtiy that would offer financial incentives for those moving into settlements and a path towards "legalization" for rogue settler outposts.
Turner
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]]>http://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-feb-3rdhttp://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-feb-3rdFri, 03 Feb 2012 18:22:47 GMT<![CDATA[Week in Review, Jan 27th]]>

Abbas declares exploratory talks with Israel "over", PLC speaker to be held in Israeli prison for six months without charge, and Hamas allegedly distancing itself from Syria in this week's top #Palestine stories.

Storified by Palestine Note · Fri, Jan 27 2012 12:34:49

Abbas declares exploratory talks with Israel "over", PLC speaker to be held in Israeli prison for six months without charge, and Hamas allegedly distancing itself from Syria in this week's top #Palestine stories.

Last week, Israel arrested Palestinian Legislative Council speaker and Hamas member Aziz Dweik at a checkpoint and continued to arrest other Hamas politicians for being "involved in terrorist activities". Dweik has been sentenced by a military court to  six months in prison without trial. The arrests are being interpreted by many Palestinians as a crackdown on Hamas-Fatah reconciliation efforts. The Palestinian Authority has condemned the arrests while Hamas has called on the PA to suspend its "talks about talks" with Israel in Amman.
Talks undermined by arrest of Hamas leader · Euronews
Aforementioned talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority were pronounced "over" by President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday. The European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton denies that the parties have reached an impasse.
Hamas political chief Khaled Meshal, who earlier announced he would be retiring, has reportedly abandoned his headquarters in Damascus. Analysts are saying that Hamas has effectively "quit" Syria over the turmoil between protesters and Bashar Assad's government, but are unlikely to publicly declare so. 
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]]>http://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-jan-27thhttp://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-jan-27thFri, 27 Jan 2012 20:34:49 GMT<![CDATA[Week in Review, Jan 20th]]>

Human rights advocate stabbed in Gaza, Hamas leader Meshal to step down, French claims of "water apartheid", and more in this week's top stories on #Palestine.

Storified by Palestine Note · Fri, Feb 03 2012 11:29:33

The Palestinian Authority continued their talks about the resumption of direct negotiations with Israel while also conducting meetings with Hamas representatives on national reconciliation. Later in the week, after Israel's arrest of a Hamas Member of Parliament, Hamas called for an end to negotiations with Israel.
Palestinian Authority Leaders Talk With Israel and HamasPalestinian Authority Leaders Talk With Israel and Hamas
JERUSALEM - leaders pursued dual tracks of reconciliation on Saturday, holding meetings both with Israeli negotiators in Jordan and with ...
The International Relations Director for the Al Mezan Human Rights Center in Gaza, Mahmoud Abu Rahmah, was stabbed by unknown assailants in an apparent response to a critical article he wrote about the accountability of Palestinian resistance groups.
A new report by the French Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee harshly condemned Israel's allocation of water resources in the West Bank, using the controversial word "apartheid" in its description. The French Foreign Ministry and the Israeli embassy in Paris were dismayed by the use of "extreme terms" in the report and have referred to the incident as a "diplomatic mishap". 
French parliament report accuses Israel of water 'apartheid' in West BankFrench parliament report accuses Israel of water 'apartheid' in West Bank
The French parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee published an unprecedented report two weeks ago accusing Israel of implementing "aparth...
@Baldtarhuni @haivri @smitmichaels @Joecienkowski this is apartheid in Israel. Settlers are allocate 3times the water http://pic.twitter.com/P3lI4rzy · ميسم
Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Meshal announced he would be leaving the position he held as head of the political bureau since 1996 when elections take place in the next few months. He had previously made statements indicating that Hamas should move away from armed resistance, prompting speculation as to whether his decision to step down is demonstrative of internal debates within the Islamist party. 

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal to step down from his positionHamas leader Khaled Meshaal to step down from his position
Khaled Meshaal, the political chief of Hamas, is to step down from his position when elections for the leadership of the Palestinian Isla...
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]]>http://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-jan-20thhttp://storify.com/palestinenote/week-in-review-jan-20thFri, 03 Feb 2012 19:29:33 GMT<![CDATA[The Week in Review, Jan 13th]]>

Storified by Palestine Note · Fri, Jan 13 2012 12:44:13

Congress' aid cut to the PA threatens Shara'a Simsim, activists in Jericho stage a #carprotest against Israeli-only roads, Israel's Supreme Court upholds law targeting Palestinian spouses of Israeli citizens, and more in this week's review of the top stories on #Palestine.

Israeli and Palestinian leaders met again to discuss peace negotiations in Amman, but there has been no official word on any progress made during Monday's meeting. The National reports that many Palestinians view the talks with pessimism as the public grows frustrated with the precious few alternatives. The parties have agreed to meet for a third round. 
Palestinian peace hopes low as talks resume - The NationalPalestinian peace hopes low as talks resume - The National
Hugh Naylor (Foreign Correspondent) JERUSALEM // Expectations of progress in the peace process could not be lower as Israeli and Palestin...
The US-funded Palestinian version of Sesame Street, Shara'a Simsim, has been forced to cancel many 2012 episodes due to Congress' decision to withhold aid in retaliation for the Palestinian Authority's efforts to seek legal recognition of statehood at the United Nations.
Palestinian Sesame Street falls victim to US CongressPalestinian Sesame Street falls victim to US Congress
With its colourful band of Muppets preaching tolerance and neighbourly love, the Palestinian version of the children's television program...
In Israel's Knesset, MK Anastasia Michaeli of the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party threw a cup of water on Palestinian Israeli MK Ghaleb Majadleh of the left-leaning Labour party following a heated debate. Michaeli has been suspended from plenary sessions for a month. 
אנסטסיה מיכאלי שופכת מים על ראלב מג'אדלה · King4Fun4
Palestinians in the West Bank held a nonviolent #carprotest in Jericho this week to highlight the inequality of Israeli-only roads. Twitter activists have reported that five, including Mahmoud Zawahare in the video below, were arrested. 
Palestinian Lesson In Ethics .. To Israeli Border Police.wmv · Arouri83
Photo from the #carprotest stuck in Jericho by the Israeli army. · ibnezra
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said the PA is also concerned with Iran's nuclear ambitions, adding that Palestinians suffer from President Ahmadinejad and Iranian government's efforts to act as "spokesman" for the Palestinians. 
PA shares Israel's nuclear Iran fears | The Jewish Chronicle
The Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Salam Fayyad, has attacked the behaviour of Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and s...
Hamas leader and Prime Minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh returned from his first tour abroad since coming to power in 2007, and is looking to make a second round in Qatar, Iran, and other Muslims countries by the end of the month.
Hamas leader to visit Iran, Qatar in new trip
Hamas leader to visit Iran, Qatar in new trip GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - An adviser to Hamas' prime minister says the leader will visit...
The Israeli Supreme Court ruled to uphold a law that bars the Palestinian spouses of Israeli citizens from living with together in Israel. The law primarily effects Israel's Palestinian minority, which makes up 20% of its citizens.
Israeli-Palestinian couples on Citizenship Law: Supreme Court guided by Israeli racismIsraeli-Palestinian couples on Citizenship Law: Supreme Court guided by Israeli racism
Thousands of families of Israeli Arabs and Palestinians have been waiting for years for a Supreme Court decision rejecting Israel's Citiz...
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]]>http://storify.com/palestinenote/the-week-in-review-jan-13thhttp://storify.com/palestinenote/the-week-in-review-jan-13thFri, 13 Jan 2012 20:44:13 GMT